Murphy: As Bills near midway point, they’re finding answers for many of season’s big questions

Let’s get the final score out of the way: Buffalo 31, Seattle 10. And it wasn’t even that close.

The Seahawks share the lead in the NFC West even after the loss to Buffalo. Apparently, it’s not just the AFC East that is loaded with trash.

In the not-so-distant past the Bills 6-2 record would mark the midway point of the season. Let’s pretend the Bills are halfway through the regular season, even though they’re just 47% completed. Some thoughts on their progress:

Josh has just one interception this year

That’s all. Just one.

He got picked by the Seahawks Josh Jobe in the second quarter. Allen’s explanation for the pick was simple.

“Amari (Cooper) slipped a little bit. I could have put that ball a little behind him,” he said.

But it was Allen’s version of the four plays that followed that made a difference. He gives his defense credit for stopping the Seahawks from the 7-yard line in a sequence that ended with Geno Smith tripping over his lineman’s feet.

“They went out there and had four consecutive plays of a stop that allowed us to snowball that into something really good,” Allen said.

So Allen’s first interception of the year was inconsequential. The fact that it came in Week 8 is not.

After 18 interceptions last year Allen has introduced good judgment and smarts into his impressive skill set, which still features his rocket arm.

He’s still getting better.

Shakir is Mr. Everything in passing attack

With 16 catches (on 17 targets!) in the last two games, Khalil Shakir has become indispensable in the Bills passing game. He can get 8 or 9 yards when you need it and then flip the field with a 35-yard reception as he did in Sunday’s third quarter.

And he hasn’t a shred of the ego that makes some receivers so difficult.

“I always say at any point during the season anyone can get their number called and make a play,” Shakir said afterward. “Our receivers room is so dynamic.”

Anyone miss Stefon Diggs?

Coleman emerging as weapon

With 5 catches for 70 yards and a TD catch, first draft pick Keon Coleman is becoming an important part of Buffalo’s offense. He’s caught 11 passes in the last two games. He’s learning how to use his body to make tough catches in traffic as he did on his touchdown.

“That’s a big boy play right there,” Shakir says.

This boy seems to be growing right before our eyes.

Cook among lead touchdown leaders

Running back James Cook ran for 111 yards and two touchdowns. He’s got three scores in the last two games, and his eight total touchdowns put him third in the league.

He shattered his record for yards and touchdown set last year and has become the Bills undisputed number one back.

Dominance up front

“Winning the line of scrimmage; that’s where it starts,” McDermott said after the game. “I thought our O-line and D-line did a great job.”’

Agreed.

Seattle’s big men were more ready to fight and argue with each other.

Let’s face it: the Seahawks were not ready to play. The Bills were, right from the start. And while they still have issues to solve (13 penalties) they’re getting better. And answering many of the questions they had when the season began.